This is Billboard India’s weekly editorial series No Skip. Every Monday, we tell you exactly what to listen to – songs handpicked by the Billboard India team from last week’s crop of music releases. Tracks from Indian artists across film, indie, regional and the diaspora community are eligible.
Below are this week’s No Skip selections to kick off your week right.
- “God’s Favorite” by Jordan Sandhu, Sultaan, Kaptaan, Avvy Sra
Punjabi verses by Sandhu and Sultaan over a throbbing bass, accentuated by Punjabi beats make for a formulaic yet frollicking listen. Kaptaan’s lyrics and production from Avvy Sra add to the cocktail of a classic hip-hop story of swagger, faith and fearlessness.
- “Waiting on Nothing” by Purple Cassette
Do you miss indie rock greatness of the late aughts and early 2010s? The New Delhi-based band is here to bring that energy back. With meandering synths, sharp guitars and stomping drum and bass – the quartet channels a grungey vibe. The lead singer’s vocal likeness to Julian Casablancas (of The Strokes) doesn’t hurt.
- “Shaayad” by Deepika Seth
A delicate strings-led ballad, Seth builds to a layered post-chorus hook with her Hindustani training shining bright in the intricate way she holds notes. The deft lyricism and jazzy interlude hold their own in an old Bollywood style.
- “Game Night” by Stage Fright
Fusion rock in 2026? With Evanescence-esque English vocals and classical aalaps, with an angst that feels urgent and frenetic at the same time, the answer is yes. A swanking solo is a good breather between the heavy instrumentation as the linguistic switch also keeps things interesting. A debut to watch out for from the Mumbai band.
- “Marham” by Divyam Sodhi and Khwaab
Divyam Sodhi and Khwaab are an emerging songwriter-producer duo that make music borrowing from qawwali traditions as well as acoustic / folk genres. On this track – tabla, dholak, harmonium and sitar – bring a rooted sound to the simple melody that speaks to an old school romance.
